Electric block-signaling system



(No Model.)

A. J. WILSON. ELECTRIG'BLOGK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

No. 531,284. Pate ted Dec. 18,1894.

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I UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADONIRAM J. WILSON, OF PORT CHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE HALLSIGNAL COMPANY, OF MAINE.

ELECTRIC BLOCK-SIGNALING SYSTEM. I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,284, dated December18, 1894.

Application filed May 14, 1894. Serial No. 511,178- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADONIRAM J. WILSON,

nals, and also to provide means for indicat ing' at a switch theapproach of a train in order that the switchman may keep the switch inproper condition for the passage of the train, the switchbeingpreferablyso connected with a signal in the rear that a trainapproaching the switch will be blocked if the switch is not in propercondition for the trains passage.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement hereinafterset forth.

In the drawing the invention is illustrated in diagram. 7

Referring now more particularly to the various features illustrated inthe drawing, the track is divided up into a series of subsections 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 6. The signalA guards the subsections 2, 3 and 4, the signalB guards the subsections 4,5 and 6, and the signal 0 guards thesubsections 6, 850. It will thus be seen that the block guarded by thesignal "A overlaps at the subsection at the block guarded by the signalB, and that the block guarded by the signal B overlaps at the subsection6 the block guarded by the signal 0. The rails of each of thesubsections are included in a track circuit which includes also a magnetat the exit end of the subsection. These magnets are letteredrespectively a, b, c, d and e. The subsections 3 and 5 also includecircuit controllers f and g respectively, each of which is operated bythe magnet of the track circuit immediately in the rear. The wirehextendscontinuously along the track and constitutes one side of each ofthe signal operating or controlling circuits for the signals A, B, G,&c. The other side, k, of the signal cir- 5o cuit for the signal A joinsthe side h at the points m and m, and includes the circuit controllersn, n and 11 the first of which isnormally open and operated by themagnet a, while the others are normally closed and operated by themagnets c and (1 respectively. Thus this signal circuit is normallyde-energized. This signal circuit also includes a circuit controller 0near the switch D and operatively connected with the switch lever D' sothat when the switchis thrown for main line running, the circuitcontroller 0 is closed as shown, but when it is thrown for the sidingthis circuit controller is open. A bridge wire q connects the two sidesof the signal circuit The signal circuits for the other signals aresimilar to the circuit for the signal A just described, but they may ormay not be connected with the indicator circuits. The circuit h It forthe signal in the rear of the signal A has the normally closed circuitcontrollers sv and s, operated respectively by the magnetsa. and b, andsince a train operates the signal circuit h, It after it operates thesignal circuit h, 10, it isevideut that these signal circuits overlap.The circuit h, k for the signal B includes the normally open circuitcontroller 15, and the normally closed circuit controller 25', operatedrespectively by the magnets c and e, and the circuit h, 70 for thesignal O includes the normally open circuit controller u, operated bythe magnet c. It

will be seen that the signal circuits h, 7.: and

h, 10 overlap just as do the circuits h, k and h, k, inasmuch as thecircuit h, k is operated by a trainafter the circuit h, k isoperated bythe same train.

The signals are shown in the drawing as standing normally at danger withthe signal circuits normally de-energized, the indicator being normallyat safety with its circuit normally energized.

The operation of the system is as follows: A train entering thesubsection 1 operates its track circuit by shunting the magnet a,thereby breaking the signal circuit h, 7c at s and energizing the signalcircuit h, k by closing it at n. This puts the signal A to safety beforethe train. At the same time the train holds the signal circuit h, k openat 3 till the entire train has passed out of the subsection 1 and whollyinto the subsection 2. When the train passes the signal A and enters theblock which the signal guards, it first operates the track circuit ofthe subsection 2 by shunting the magnet b. This continues the break ofthe signal circuit h, by breaking the circuit again at s, and alsobreaks the track circuit of the sub-section 3 at f, therebyde-energizing the magnet c and breaking the circuit for the signal A atn, and closing the circuit 71, 70 for the signal B at t. The signal A isthus returned to danger, the signal in the rear of A is continued atdanger, and the signal B is put to safety as soon as the train begins topass the signal A. When the train has passed OK the subsection 2 and onto the subsection 3, the signal circuit h, k is closed and the trackcircuit of the subsection 3 is closed at f, butthe magnetcof thiscircuit is shunted and thus continued in its de-energized condition.\Vhen the train reaches the signal 13 it finds the signal at safety andso enters into the block which it guards by passing upon the subsection4, thereby continuing a break in the circuit for the signal A by openingthe circuit controller 12 At the same time the track circuit ofsubsection 5 is broken at g and the magnet c is de-energized to closethe circuit for the signal 0 at u and break the circuit for the signal Bat t. When the train enters subsection 5 it continues the magnet e inits de-energized condition and thus continues the circuit for the signalB broken and the circuit for the signal 0 energized.

While I have shown all the track circuits as normally closed andincluding insulated sections of the rails, yet in some cases other typesof track circuits might be substituted. For instance, track circuitsoperated by track instruments might be used in some cases withadvantage, and track circuits normally open might also be in some casesused with advantage. Again, the power for directly operating the signalmay be derived from any convenient source, whether electrical,pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, 850. Various other changes which willreadily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art may be made withoutdepartingfrom what I conceiveto be the broad spirit of my invention asherein set forth.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of overlapping blocks, each divided intosubsections, a signal for each block, overlapping signal circuits forthe signals, a track circuit for each subsection of a block controllingthe electric condition or the signal circuit for said block,two;orirnore of said track circuits being so connected together thatwhen one is operated the other is also operated to affect the signalcircuit, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of ablock of a track divided into subsections, a track circuit whichincludes the rails of the track for each subsection, a signal normallyat danger and a normally deenergized signal circuit for the block, meansfor energizing the signal circuit in the rear of the block and means fordeenergizing the signal circuit upon a change in the electric conditionof each of the track circuits of the block, two or more of the saidtrack circuits being so connected together that when one of them isoperated another is also operated to alfect the signal circuit,substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of blocks, each divided into subsections, asignal normally at danger and a track circuit which includes the railsof the track for .each subsection, a normally deenergized signal circuitfor each block, means located in one block for energizing the signalcircuit of a block in advance, and means for deenergizing the saidsignal circuit upon a change in the electric condition of each of thetrack circuits of the said block in advance, two or more of the trackcircuits of said block in advance being so connected together that whenone is operated the other is also operated to alfect the signal circuit,substantially as set forth.

4:. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of blocks each divided into subsections,atrack circuit for each subsection, a normally deenergized signalcircuit for each block, means included in each signal circuit forenergizing it upon a change in the electric condition of each of two ormore operatively connected track circuits of a block in the rear, andmeans included in each signal circuit for deenergizing it upon achangein the electric condition of each of the track circuits of its block,substantially as set forth.

5. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of overlapping blocks each divided intosubsections, a track circuit for each subsection, a normally deenergizedoverlapping signal circuit for each block, means located in one blockfor energizing the signal circuit of a block in advance and means fordeenergizing the said signal circuit upon a change in the electriccondition of each of the track circuits of the said block in advance,two or more of the track circuitsof said blockjin advance being soconnected together that when one is operated the other is. also operatedto afiect the signal circuit, substantially as set forth. Y i

6. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of overlapping blocks each divided intosubsections, a track circuit for'each subsection, a normally deenergizedoverlapping signal circuit for each block, means included in each signalcircuit for energizing it upon a changein the electric condition of eachone of two or more operatively connected track circuits of a block inthe rear,"'and means in-' cluded in each signal circuit for deenergizingit upon a change in the electric condition of each of the track circuitsof itsblock, substantially as set forth. 1

7. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of blocks ,each divided into subsections, atrack circuit for each subsection two or more of which are sooperatively connected that when one of them is operated another is alsooperated, a normally open signal circuit for each block adapted tooperatea signal near the entrance thereof, each block and each signalcircuit overlapping respectively the succeeding block andsignal circuit,means included in each signal circuit for closing it upon a change inthe electric condition of each of the connected track circuits of thepreceding block, and means included in each signal circuit for breakingit upon a change in the electric condition of each of the track circuitsof its block, substantially as set forth.

8. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series'of blocks each divided into subsections, atrack circuit for each subsectiontwo or more of which are so operativelyconnected that when one of them is operated another is also operated, anormally open signal circuit for each block adapted to operate a signalnear the entrance thereof, means included in each signal circuit forclosing it upon a change in the electric condition of each of theconnected track circuits of the preceding block, and means included ineach signal circuit for breaking it upon a change in the electricdicator, substantially as set forth.

10. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of asignal, a normally deenergized signal circuit operating or controllingsaid signal, a switch indicator connected in a bridge across the signalcircuit,

and means controlled by a train for energizing saidsignal circuit andsimultaneously operating the indicator, substantially as set forth. r

11. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of asignal operating or controlling circuit, a track circuit controlling thesignal circuit, a switch indicator connected in a bridge across thesignal circuit whereby the operation of the track circuit affects boththe signal circuitand the indicator, and a switch so connected with thesignal circuit that when the switch isoperated the signal circuit isaffected, substantially as set forth.

12. In an electric signaling system for rail ways, the combination of asignal, a normally deenergized signal circuit operating or controllingsaid signal, a switch indicator connected in a bridge across the signalcircuit means for energizing said signal circuit, and

' simultaneously operating the indicator, and a switch so connected withthe signal circuit that when the switch is operated the signal circuitis afiected, substantially as set forth.

13. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of asignal, a normally deenergized signal circuit operating or controllingthe signal, a track circuit for operating the signal circuit, a switchand an indicator for the switch, said indicator connected in a bridgeacross the signal circuit whereby when the track circuit is operatedboth the cuits is operated another of said connected circuits is alsooperated to affect the signal circuit, a switch for the track and anindicator for the switch, a circuit for operating or controlling thecondition of the indicator,

and means for controlling the indicator circuit located in the rear ofthe indicator, substantially as set forth.

15. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack section divided into subsections, a signal operating orcontrolling circuit, a track circuit for each subsection controlling theelectric condition of the signal circuit, a switch for the track and anindicator for the switch, a circuit for operating or controlling thecondition of the indicator, and means for controlling the indicatorcircuit located in the rear of the indicator, substantially as setforth.

16. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into a series of blocks each divided into subsections, asignal for each block, signal circuits for the signals, a track circuitfor each subsection of a block controlling the electric condition of thesignal circuit for said block, a switch for a block and an indicatortherefor, a circuit for operating or controlling the indicator and meansfor controlling the indicator circuit located in the rear of theindicator, substantially as set forth.

17. In an electric signaling system for rail- Ways, the combination of atrack block divided into subsections, a track circuit for eachsubsection, a normally deenergized signal circuit for the block, meansfor energizing the signal circuit in the rear of the block and means fordeenergizing the signal circuit upon a change in the electric conditionof each of the track circuits of the block, a switch for the block andan indicator therefor, a circuit for operating or controlling theindicator, and means for operating the indicator circuit located in therear of the indicator, substantially as set forth.

18. In an electric signaling system for rail ways, the combination of atrack block divided into subsections, a track circuit for eachsub-section, a normally deenergized signal circuit for the block, meansfor energizing the signal circuit in the rear of the block and means fordeenergizing the signal circuit upon a change in the electric conditionof each of the track circuits of the block, two or more of the saidtrack circuits being so connected together that when one of them isoperated another is also operated to affect the signal circuit, a switchfor the block, and an indicator therefor, a circuit for operating orcontrolling the indicator, and means for operating the indicator circuitlocated in the rear of the indicator, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADONIRAM J. WILSON.

Witnesses:

RALPH. B. HIBBARD, RICHARD DEVENS.

